Operation Hydra features the all-new Operation Hydra Events--a 2v2 competitive mode, a 5v5 mode that requires broad weapon proficiency, and twists on classic game rules including a chance to play using a special heavy armor, low-gravity sniping, team deathmatch, knife and zeus-only, and others. There's more - Operation Hydra features a set of new and returning community maps available for casual and competitive modes, along with a full Guardian Mission campaign, an Operation Coin upgradable to the new Diamond level, an Operation Journal with friends leaderboards, the opportunity to gain extra XP, Operation weapon drops, and the all new Operation Hydra Case!

Operation Hydra features the all-new Operation Hydra Events--a 2v2 competitive mode, a 5v5 mode that requires broad weapon proficiency, and twists on classic game rules including a chance to play using a special heavy armor, low-gravity sniping, team deathmatch, knife and zeus-only, and others. There's more - Operation Hydra features a set of new and returning community maps available for casual and competitive modes, along with a full Guardian Mission campaign, an Operation Coin upgradable to the new Diamond level, an Operation Journal with friends leaderboards, the opportunity to gain extra XP, Operation weapon drops, and the all new Operation Hydra Case!

With the introduction of Operation Wildfire and the update of de_nuke, come a number of visual upgrades and features that we think mapmakers and community content creators alike will find useful and exciting. The following is an overview of these features and how they can be enabled in your own maps and content.

http://blog.counter-strike.net/workshop/maps.php#new_features

With the introduction of Operation Wildfire and the update of de_nuke, come a number of visual upgrades and features that we think mapmakers and community content creators alike will find useful and exciting. The following is an overview of these features and how they can be enabled in your own maps and content.

http://blog.counter-strike.net/workshop/maps.php#new_features

The quality of workshop submissions has been steadily increasing. We’ve seen some incredible work by new and returning contributors. For the next case, in order to direct this amazing creative force in the most useful direction, we’ve decided to announce in advance the weapons we hope to ship.

Shipping a case means balancing an ideal case design against the available weapons on the workshop. Often we’d like to ship a particular weapon at a particular quality, but can’t find a match on the workshop. As a result we end up shipping some weapons more frequently than we’d like, and some a lot less.

While we expect to ship several of the items already on the workshop, we’re hoping this announcement can help guide artists to fill some gaps (marked with an asterisk below). Note that the list isn’t a guarantee of the final case design. With that caveat out of the way, here is the list:

Covert

• M4A1-S
  
• G3SG1*

Classified

• USP-S
  
• AK-47
  
• SSG 08*

Restricted

• M249*
  
• P250
  
• MAG-7*
  
• Galil AR*

Mil-Spec

• Glock-18
  
• Dual Berettas*
  
• FAMAS*
  
• SCAR-20*
  
• XM1014*
  
• MP7*
  
• MAC-10

We will be making our final selections after September 7th.

FAQ

Do I need to do anything special to be eligible for this case?
No, all you have to do is submit your designs by September 7th and make sure your item has been finalized on the workshop.

Do I need to use the new paint style in my design?
No, it’s just one more option that you can consider. As with any weapon case, we’ll be looking for variety in art style.

Do I get paid more for a weapon in a higher tier?
No. Every weapon in a case pays out an equal share.

How do I design for a specific tier?
It mainly has to do with visual salience and design specificity. Weapons with bright colors and designs that perfectly complement a weapon’s geometry end up in the upper tiers. Weapons with more subdued colors and/or more randomization in the pattern application end up in the lower tiers.

What can I do to stand out?
Give your weapon a story. This is more than creating a beautiful design; it’s giving the weapon a visible history that hints at a larger narrative. Good examples are the AWP | Asiimov, the P250 | Cartel, AK-47 | Wasteland Rebel, and the P90 | Elite Build.

The quality of workshop submissions has been steadily increasing. We’ve seen some incredible work by new and returning contributors. For the next case, in order to direct this amazing creative force in the most useful direction, we’ve decided to announce in advance the weapons we hope to ship.

Shipping a case means balancing an ideal case design against the available weapons on the workshop. Often we’d like to ship a particular weapon at a particular quality, but can’t find a match on the workshop. As a result we end up shipping some weapons more frequently than we’d like, and some a lot less.

While we expect to ship several of the items already on the workshop, we’re hoping this announcement can help guide artists to fill some gaps (marked with an asterisk below). Note that the list isn’t a guarantee of the final case design. With that caveat out of the way, here is the list:

Covert

• M4A1-S
  
• G3SG1*

Classified

• USP-S
  
• AK-47
  
• SSG 08*

Restricted

• M249*
  
• P250
  
• MAG-7*
  
• Galil AR*

Mil-Spec

• Glock-18
  
• Dual Berettas*
  
• FAMAS*
  
• SCAR-20*
  
• XM1014*
  
• MP7*
  
• MAC-10

We will be making our final selections after September 7th.

FAQ

Do I need to do anything special to be eligible for this case?
No, all you have to do is submit your designs by September 7th and make sure your item has been finalized on the workshop.

Do I need to use the new paint style in my design?
No, it’s just one more option that you can consider. As with any weapon case, we’ll be looking for variety in art style.

Do I get paid more for a weapon in a higher tier?
No. Every weapon in a case pays out an equal share.

How do I design for a specific tier?
It mainly has to do with visual salience and design specificity. Weapons with bright colors and designs that perfectly complement a weapon’s geometry end up in the upper tiers. Weapons with more subdued colors and/or more randomization in the pattern application end up in the lower tiers.

What can I do to stand out?
Give your weapon a story. This is more than creating a beautiful design; it’s giving the weapon a visible history that hints at a larger narrative. Good examples are the AWP | Asiimov, the P250 | Cartel, AK-47 | Wasteland Rebel, and the P90 | Elite Build.

Have you wanted to give the AK-47 or the Sawed-Off an engraved or patinated look, but also replace the wooden stock? You asked for it but until now the weapon finish system hasn’t supported it.

In response to workshop contributor feedback, we have added the Gunsmith paint style. This style combines features from Custom Paint Job, Patina and Anodized Multicolored. Read about it in the Weapon Finishes Guide .

Have you wanted to give the AK-47 or the Sawed-Off an engraved or patinated look, but also replace the wooden stock? You asked for it but until now the weapon finish system hasn’t supported it.

In response to workshop contributor feedback, we have added the Gunsmith paint style. This style combines features from Custom Paint Job, Patina and Anodized Multicolored. Read about it in the Weapon Finishes Guide .

It’s that magic time where spring prepares to give way to summer; a time for fun in the sun, vacations, friends, and of course… a brand new operation for CSGO! New modes, campaigns, and bragging rights await you… welcome to Operation Bloodhound.

The Global Offensive is ever changing, and with new conflicts comes new places to do battle… which you’ll get to experience FOR FREE.

Log – Cut down more than trees, as a long-ranged battle breaks out at a logging facility.

Rails – A decrepit rail yard becomes an industrial killing field in this night-time engagement.

Resort – Once a temple to excess and wealth, the luxurious Elysee Resort has been transformed into a high-stakes firefight.

Zoo – Terrorists have arrived at the Bay Area Zoo, and they didn’t come for the dolphin show.

Fan favorites Season and Agency are also making their triumphant return with Operation Bloodhound.

In addition to maps, all players will now have the ability to improve their Profile Rank by earning XP. As you increase your Profile Rank, not only will your CSGO profile evolve to show off your new title and icon; but the first time you rank up each week will earn you a weapon drop.

Like the operations before it, The Operation Bloodhound Access Pass come with a challenge coin and journal to track your progress… however the addition of Profile Ranks calls for something extra special. By purchasing the Access Pass, your earned weapon drops are pulled from exclusive Bloodhound weapon collections (Cobblestone, Cache, Overpass, Gods and Monsters, The Rising Sun, and Chop Shop).

Also included in the Access Pass are two brand new campaigns: Marksman and Revolution… each campaign brings with it a unique story, exclusive co-op challenges, and plenty of opportunities to earn xp.

Each Falchion Weapons Case contains a chance at one of 16 community-created weapon finishes, as well as a chance to gain a new (and deadly) addition to the knife family: The Falchion. This wicked blade can only be found in this operation exclusive case.

It’s that magic time where spring prepares to give way to summer; a time for fun in the sun, vacations, friends, and of course… a brand new operation for CSGO! New modes, campaigns, and bragging rights await you… welcome to Operation Bloodhound.

The Global Offensive is ever changing, and with new conflicts comes new places to do battle… which you’ll get to experience FOR FREE.

Log – Cut down more than trees, as a long-ranged battle breaks out at a logging facility.

Rails – A decrepit rail yard becomes an industrial killing field in this night-time engagement.

Resort – Once a temple to excess and wealth, the luxurious Elysee Resort has been transformed into a high-stakes firefight.

Zoo – Terrorists have arrived at the Bay Area Zoo, and they didn’t come for the dolphin show.

Fan favorites Season and Agency are also making their triumphant return with Operation Bloodhound.

In addition to maps, all players will now have the ability to improve their Profile Rank by earning XP. As you increase your Profile Rank, not only will your CSGO profile evolve to show off your new title and icon; but the first time you rank up each week will earn you a weapon drop.

Like the operations before it, The Operation Bloodhound Access Pass come with a challenge coin and journal to track your progress… however the addition of Profile Ranks calls for something extra special. By purchasing the Access Pass, your earned weapon drops are pulled from exclusive Bloodhound weapon collections (Cobblestone, Cache, Overpass, Gods and Monsters, The Rising Sun, and Chop Shop).

Also included in the Access Pass are two brand new campaigns: Marksman and Revolution… each campaign brings with it a unique story, exclusive co-op challenges, and plenty of opportunities to earn xp.

Each Falchion Weapons Case contains a chance at one of 16 community-created weapon finishes, as well as a chance to gain a new (and deadly) addition to the knife family: The Falchion. This wicked blade can only be found in this operation exclusive case.